Kodama Obsidian

The Obsidian.

Kodama, a small 3D printing company based in San Francisco, has for a second time smashed its goal on Kickstarter, as it rolls out its Obsidian 3D printer.

Obsidian was launched via the crowdfunding platform on June 26th, and within just a few minutes, had achieved its $100,000 goal. Some two weeks later, that figure now stands at over $1,000,000 within touching distance of exceeding the $1.6m raised for Kodama’s first machine, unveiled last year.

The Trinus 3D printer was marketed as the first all metal 3D printer available for purchase under $500. Now bringing the Obsidian to market, Kodama is maintaining its commitment to affordable 3D printing, but this time with a plastics and polymer-compatible platform instead.

Obsidian promises to deliver $1,000 print quality, at a $99 rate, and has been successfully tested with PLA, Nylon, ABS, PETG, Polycarbonate and Carbon Fibre materials. The machine has been in development since 2015. It’s Kodama’s first in-house, self-designed 3D printer. The company is made up of a team of designers headed by founder and CEO, Michael Husmann. Husmann, a former Project Manager at Apple, has moved to develop affordable 3D printers, feeling there was too much of a gap between cheap, hard-to-assemble kits and ‘overpriced consumer machines’.

Kodama Obsidian Deluxe

The Obsidian's deluxe package has a smart touchscreen, and can also be linked up to an Android/ IOS app where prints can be monitored.

Kodama’s latest machine promises to remove all the arduous assembly steps that need to be tackled in other machines on the market. Once out of the box, the company says all that is needed to do is to plug the printer in and load the filament. Should backers wish to pledge more than $249 while the Kickstarter campaign remains live, they will receive the Obsidian Deluxe package. This version of the printer has a smart touchscreen, and can also be linked up to an Android/ IOS app where prints can be monitored. Meanwhile, the printer has a magnetic detachable print bed, making it easier to remove prints, and an LED light which allows users to clearly see the print as it progresses through the night. Kodama also believe the Obsidian’s Bowden extruder makes the filament loading process easier, while its quick-release nozzle capabilities does the same for the changing of nozzles.

The company’s second product launch in as many years, Kodama is confident it is not only in a good position to match the Trinus’ success, but has also learnt a lesson or two from the first campaign. After the launch of Trinus, Kodama realised customers often come back for upgrades and add-ons. Therefore, the Obsidian will do just that – customers will have access to accessories, add-ons and extra filaments.

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